EEG Testing
Ambulatory EEG Testing Services
Endeavor Therapy and Sleep Center is dedicated to providing patients with the finest service using state-of-the-art equipment. For ambulatory EEG testing, DigiTrace Monitoring Systems are considered to be the gold standard, so naturally that is the technology we use.
What is an Electroencephalogram?
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures and records the electrical activity of your brain. Special sensors are attached to your head and hooked by wires to a computer. The computer records your brain's electrical activity on the screen or on paper as wavy lines. Certain conditions can be seen by the changes in the normal pattern of the brain's electrical activity.
Who needs an EEG?
A physician will order a EEG to distinguish epileptic seizures from other types of spells, such as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, syncope (fainting), sub-cortical movement disorders, migraine variants, and problems with loss of consciousness or dementia. Also, Electroencephalograms may be used for finding out if a person has a physical problem (problems in the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system) or a mental health problem.
How does the DigiTrace equipment work?
The DigiTrace system records electrical patterns from your brain in the comfort of your own home. While at home you will wear a lightweight recorder on your waist (about the size of a Walkman® cassette player). You may also have a portable video unit which we would like you to connect whenever possible (i.e. watching TV, reading, while in bed, etc.)
What should I expect at my appointment?
At Endeavor our EEG technologist will set you up with the equipment. We attach 16 to 24 electrodes to your head using a conductive paste and special glue to hold them in place. The process is painless and the glue and paste will be cleaned off your head at the end of the study. We will review the process with you and take as much time as you need in order to answer any questions you have. Your appointment will take about two hours and you will wear the DigiTrace recorder home.
How does the system operate?
During the test you will have one or two recording systems. One is battery powered and worn around your waist; it will record constantly. You may also have a DigiTrace Video System, which needs to be plugged in to a three-prong wall socket. If you have both units they should be connected by the coiled cord whenever possible.
When you are plugged into the video system, three small lights will go on as follows:
Power: This light should be on continuously whenever the video unit is plugged in.
EEG: This light should be on continuously whenever you are connected to the video unit and waist recorder by the coiled cord.
Software: This light should be blinking (a rate of approximately one flash per second) within a few minutes of the recorder being connected to the video unit.
If you feel an event similar to what you described to your doctor, push the button attached to the recorder.
Why would my doctor include the video in my DigiTrace study?
Video, when recorded along with EEG, provides important validation of the EEG data for your doctor. In addition, subtle movements that are recorded on video may help your doctor with his or her diagnosis, which means a better outcome. For best data you should have the video positioned so your face is visible whenever possible.
How do I get started?
All we need is a order/prescription from your physician. If you do not have a physician, we can help you find one who can evaluate your needs.
We will take care of your insurance pre-certification and schedule an appointment.
At your appointment we’ll set you up with the DigiTrace system. You will go home with the system for continuous monitoring and the equipment stores the clinically relevant data. You will return at the appointed time (Physicians will typically order studies as overnight, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 7 days or until an event occurs) and we will disconnect the system and remove any glue or paste residue.
We will download the data, interpret the results and send the report and sample tracings to your physician.
Please call us at 262-241-8892 to schedule an appointment or for more information.